This was my 4th go at this, and it’s a nice event, starting and finishing in the beautiful 10 acre gardens of Mount Ephraim, a few miles east of Faversham, Kent. It’s generally considered to be quite a challenging course, with plenty of undulations and a long fierce ascent coming in at about 6K. However, it is also a very scenic course along quiet country roads.

I cycled the 7.5 miles to the event, much of it along a woodland bridleway which was uncharacteristically muddy for this time of the year.

There was a strong European presence this year, with teams and runners from France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Sweden as well as Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.

The temperatures at this event are usually uncomfortably warm, and although the morning started a bit cool and overcast, the clouds folded back just before the start, to reveal the mandatory Mount Ephraim sunshine and heat. Fortunately it wasn’t too bad and two drinks stations were provided.

So, I did it all again. Finishing in 55:11, 120/196, men 50-59 24/35. A bit slower than last year’s course pb of 53:36. A bit more training required, I think.

After the finish, as I was on my way to purchase my Mount Ephraim cherries, I was approached by a runner who was evidently lacto-vegetarian but was moving to a vegan diet. I answered a few question about nutrition and referred him to the Vegan Runners website.

At this point the clouds returned, followed by heavy rainfall,which sadly sent everybody scurrying home. I set off for a rather bleak bike ride home, to discover the muddy bridleway had become even muddier as well as developing numerous puddles.